It is powerful to read in Numbers 27:16-17 where Moses is asking for his successor to be leader that is a shepherd. Timothy Laniak wrote about this on p. 91 when he stated: "When Moses considers the prospect of his own death and the need for a faithful successor he prays, 'May the Lord, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the Lord's people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.'" I think is a fascinating how in Moses' time a God following leader was viewed as a shepherd. I think this same title "shepherd" applies to pastor leaders today. We need to know and care for our flock like a shepherd knows and cares for his flock. This, being a shepherd, is the essence of what a pastor leader is and does.